Ethics in Policing

Police ethics refers to a system of moral values that are generally accepted as professional
standards in policing. In policing, ethics includes values such as allegiance, honesty, loyalty and
courage.

Basically, ethics is 'doing the right thing.' For example, a police officer is expected to stop and
help a stranded motorist or have reasonable suspicion of a violation before initiating a traffic
stop. But we know these things don't always happen.

It's important to note that police ethics are separate from the police department's written rules
and regulations. However, ethical behavior would include following any written rules, formal
regulations and laws. Things like stealing evidence or falsifying a report would be against the
department's explicit rules and also against the law.

When considering unethical behavior, notice that an officer's personal ethics are important,
too. Think of a recent news story that involved the misbehavior of an off-duty police officer. In
my city, an officer made the television news because he was arrested for drunk driving. He was
in his personal vehicle, and on his own time, but he's already been fired. If he had been a
businessman or a banker would he have been fired? Probably not. Police officers are expected
to display moral behavior at all times.

If we question an officer's personal ethics, then we question his or her decision-making skills. If
we question an officer's personal decision-making then we question that officer's professional
decision-making, and we no longer have trust and respect for our police. Police integrity
diminishes.

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